Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 5, 1993 TAG: 9305050128
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Rush, 25, of Christiansburg announced Tuesday morning that he is a candidate for the House seat, which will be open this fall with the retirement of Del. Joan Munford, D-Blacksburg.
Republicans from eastern Giles and northern Montgomery County will meet at Christiansburg High School at 8:30 a.m. Saturday to pick their nominee. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Montgomery Treasurer Ellis Meredith introduced Rush at a courthouse news conference, calling him "a young man who has the ability to get things done."
On the Board of Supervisors, [Rush] "been instrumental in turning the tax-and-spend policies of the previous board in a more moderate direction, saving the taxpayers money," Meredith said.
With his wife, Amy, and two young sons beside him, Rush said he will win in November because his "political philosophy corresponds with the attitudes prevalent in this area - hard work, common sense and the knowledge to recognize government should speak for the people and not at them."
When he made his first run for the District B seat on the Board of Supervisors, Rush said he knew the way to win would be by outworking his opponent, by spending countless hours walking the district and knocking on doors. He said he can repeat that success this fall.
When he was 23, Rush, a Federal Express driver and former Army paratrooper, engineered an upset victory over incumbent county Supervisors Ann Hess, a Democrat. He also beat back an independent bid by former county highway engineer Darrell Collins, whom he had defeated for the GOP nomination.
"My opinions are based on the needs of the citizens and not by special interests or personal gain," Rush said Tuesday. "When I am elected, I will be an advocate of putting a greater amount of governmental authority back into the hands of localities and the citizens of the commonwealth."
Rush said running for the House of Delegates had been one of his goals even before Munford announced that she would not seek re-election. Munford's decision to retire makes attaining that goal easier, he said.
George Alder, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party, said Rush was the only GOP candidate to show an interest in running for the seat before Munford dropped from the race.
When Rush announced he was interested in the seat he became the candidate to beat because of his ability to organize support for the party's mass meeting, Alder said.
Since Munford's departure in March, the names of several GOP candidates have surfaced. Rush and Blacksburg Realtor Pat Cupp are the only two Republicans still in the nomination race. Cupp said he will announce today or Thursday whether he plans to stay in the race.
The only announced Democratic candidate for the 12th District seat is Blacksburg veterinarian Jim Shuler, 49, who has been endorsed by Munford.
Democrats will meet at Blacksburg High School on May 15 to pick their candidate for the race.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB